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October 2011 |
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Doing good while doing business
OneKC for Women alliance announces a co-branded cause card
While 79% of Americans say they would be likely to switch from one brand to another (given equal price and quality) if the other brand was associate with a good cause, only 30% of independent retailers are currently engaged in frequent-shopper programs. Over 50% of national chains use a frequent shopper program effectively.
The OneKC for Women Alliance is introducing a co-branded cause card that allows you to show tangible evidence of the good works your business supports through the alliance. This co-branded credit card gets your brand out to the community at large and builds loyal customers with each purchase.
Join us for a short presentation on the Cause Card as well as networking with your fellow retailers as you prepare for the holidays.
October 11, 2011, 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Women's Business Center
8527 Bluejacket Street
Lenexa, KS 66214
RSVP Online or Dorothy Browning dbrowning@kansaswbc.com (913) 492-5922
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Key considerations for Franchising Your Business
Presented in conjunction with Husch Blackwell LLP and Equity Bank
Husch Blackwell LLP, a full-service litigation and business law firm will present on the pro's and con's of franchising your business and the myriad of considerations involved in this process. They have extensive expertise in franchise & distribution focusing on the design, implementation, financing and maintenance of franchise and distribution systems. Equity Bank who has extensive experience in making loans to franchis ee's will discuss the process and expectations from a funder's perspective.
October 12, 2011, 8:00 - 10:00 am
Women's Business Center
8527 Bluejacket Street
Lenexa, KS 66214
Continental breakfast available
Cost: $20.00
RSVP: Dorothy Browning dbrowning@kansaswbc.com (913) 492-5922
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Internet Marketing in the Digital Age
Our popular "What Small Business Owners Should Know and Do!" workshops are back and ready for you to Enroll Now! - Learn how to make Internet Marketing work for Your Business!
Nov. 2: Internet Marketing Primer
Learn Internet Marketing trends, terms, and how a Comprehensive Internet Marketing Strategy will bring customers into your business
Nov. 9: Website Design, Development and Promotion
Understand what makes a great website and how you can make sure your website is the 'value hub' of your strategy
Nov. 16: SEO and Copywriting
Understand the importance of words, messages, and the continuous flow of value to create an effective Interactive Marketing strategy
Nov. 23: Social Marketing / Networking / Engagement
Discusses social engagement, so important to creating an effective multi-dimensional marketing and business development strategy
Nov. 30: Using Analytics to Guide Your Strategy
Know your customer and your market better using analytics and social listening systems
office
Registration is required to attend
Register Online: www.onekcforwomen.com/calendar/digital-marketing-workshops-november-2011/
Contact: Dorothy Browning
dbrowning@kansaswbc.com or 913-492-5922
$20 per workshop or $80 for 5-class series
All workshops held at the Women's Business Center
8:30 - 10:30 am
8527 Bluejacket Street, Lenexa, KS 66214 |
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Finding the right location for your business
Presented by the Women's Business Center
Sometimes it really is: location, location, location. Learn effective strategies to help you find that right location. Discussion points include use of demographics, knowing what to watch out for in lease agreements, how to negotiate, and pro's and con's of commercial realtors. Both retail and office space selections will be covered. Susan Smith of Zimmer Real Estate Services will lead the discussion and take your questions.
November 10, 2011, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., $10
Women's Business Center, Enterprise Center of Johnson County
8527 Bluejacket Street, Lenexa, KS 66214
Register Online
Questions? Contact: Dorothy Browning 913-492-5922, dbrowning@kansaswbc.com |
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Scorecard 2011: What is my Business Telling Me?
"Work on your business, not in your business" - you've heard it a million times. Research shows that business owners who take time to step outside of their role as operator and strategically assess and plan for their business are more satisfied business owners. Listening To Your Business®, a FastTrac program gives you a tested format for doing this. Spend three hours assessing and planning for 2012 and beyond guided by an experienced business coach.
December 7, 2011, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., $80
Women's Business Center, Enterprise Center of Johnson County
8527 Bluejacket Street, Lenexa, KS 66214
Register Online
Questions? Contact: Dorothy Browning 913-492-5922, dbrowning@kansaswbc.com |
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The Tax Man Cometh
If you only see your accountant at tax time, your probably not helping your bottom line. A solid small business accountant will work with you throughout the year to minimize your tax burden. Marquita Miller of Five Star
Tax & Business Solutions will discuss what you should expect from your accountant throughout the year as well as talk about what you can do now to make paying your 2011 taxes less painful.
December 8, 2011, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., $15
Women's Business Center, Enterprise Center of Johnson County
8527 Bluejacket Street, Lenexa, KS 66214
Register Online
Questions? Contact: Dorothy Browning 913-492-5922, dbrowning@kansaswbc.com |
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2011Kansas Business Matchmaker
"Where Business and Opportunity Meet!"
If you are a small business owner, a supplier or a contractor including a small disadvantaged business, a women owned small business, a HUBZone firm, an 8(a) contractor, or a veteran owned small business contractor, this business matchmaker is for you. 
October 19, 2011, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Wichita state University, Metropolitan Complex
5015 E. 29th Street North
Wichita, KS 67220
Cost: $50.00 (includes a box lunch)
Register Online: http://www.wichita.edu/conferences/KBM
Teri Taylor 316-269-6426, ext. 223 or teri.taylor@sba.gov
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Workshops at The Enterprise Cente  r of Johnson County October Workshops
Twitter for Beginners
Oct. 13, 2011, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Discover how Twitter can increase your visiblity practically overnight. Learn how this tool can help your business manage a brand and connect with customers. $25 (lunch provided)
Register: www.ecjc.com/twitterbeginner101311
Advanced Twitter Workshop
Oct. 20, 2011, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
You've learned the Twitter basics - what it is and how it works. Now learn how to make Twitter an effective and efficient business tool for youl. $25 (lunch provided)
Register: www.ecjc.com/advancedtwitter102011
Blogging for your Business
Oct. 27, 2011, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Learn the principles and tactics to make your business blogging effort more manageable while still keeping your audience engaged. This workshop will help you develop blog topics, compelling content and alternative approaches for creating fresh content. $50 (lunch provided)
Register: www.ecjc.com/blogging102711 |
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Kauffman FastTrac® Global Women's Summit
Event part of Global Entrepreneurship Week
In conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week, Kauffman FastTrac® is hosting the FastTrac® Global Women's Summit targeted to aspiring and existing women business owners. The objective of the event is to drive support for women owned businesses and to foster the growth of the number of women entrepreneurs.
November 16, 2011, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Kauffman Foundation Conference Center
4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110
Cost: $75.00
Registration and Details: http://www.fasttrac.org/women
Contact: Michele Markey, 816-932-1257, mmarkey@kauffman.org |
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NOTE:
If you are having trouble reading the small print in this newsletter, click to view as a web page (top of email).
Then, hold down the ctrl key while hitting the "+" key to increase the size as you need.
To return to normal viewing, hold ctrl key while hitting the "-" (left of the "+" key) |
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The Women's Business Center
The Women's Business Center offers mentoring, resources, and consulting to women in the Kansas City Metropolitan area who wish to become an entrepreneur or who are currently operating their own business. Through business consulting, classes, workshops, networking, and peer mentoring the WBC is the key to running a successful business for Kansas City's women.
Find out how the Women's Business Center can help you. Click here to learn more!
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FastFacts:
- Median startup capital used by businesses with employers: $50,000; for businesses without employees: $25,000.
- 39% of businesses without employees start up with less than $5,000 and 25% start with no financing.
- Women are only half as likely as men to get a bank loan for their business, which can put them at a disadvantage because banks often provide business advice to their loan recipients.
SBA Office of Advocacy |
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Business Opening Announcement
Cindy Mancuso opens Phonefix.com
12116 S. Strang Line Road
Olathe, KS 66062
913-735-9411
Phonefixs.com was designed to help people who don't have insurance for cell phones or who just need a used cell phone when they lose or break a phone. PhoneFixs.com can fix most water damage and screen cracks, not to mention they offer a loaner phone if possible to help the consumer out while repair happens. |
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Share the good news
Are you a Women's Business Center client or volunteer? Something exciting going on in your business? Let us know if you have added a major product or service line, expanded your territory or won an award. We will help you spread the word.
Email dbrowning@kansaswbc.com
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2011 Corporate Talent Show
A benefit for Literacy KC & WEN
November 3, 2011
6:00 - 9:00 pm
1st Annual Kansas City's Got Talent Corporate Talent Show
Boulevard Brewing Company
2501 Southwest Boulevard
View full details online |
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International Visitors Learn from Kansas City Entrepreneurs
On Sept 27 the WBC hosted a diverse group of women business owners from several countries in Africa.. The group was hosted by the International Visitors Council of Greater Kansas City. Rania Anderson, Meridian Consulting completed a session on "Secrets to Success" for Women Entrepreneurs. Later in the day, the group toured the facility of Weave Gotcha Covered!, a full service design and fabrication studio located in Parkville and owed by Kelly Wilson. Kelly discussed her journey as a women business owner who began working out of her home and now employees 12 women, many who find traditional jobs a challenge for a variety of reasons.....disabilities, parent and/or child care responsibilities, responsibilities as single mothers, and/or other challenges, have work. Thanks to both Rania and Kelly for making the visit a success. |
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Interested in becoming a mentor for a start-up, woman-owned business?
The WBC is re-initiating a program in January that will pair graduates of the FastTrac® New Venture for Women class with a seasoned Advisory Council for 9 months to one year. The Council will meet simultaneously with two of the women business owners on a monthly basis to help problem solve the myriad of issues facing start-ups. Meetings are expected to be two hours and may be held at the time most convenient for the team, but generally during the evening. If you are a business owner, someone who works with small business owners, or someone in a corporate position who can bring talents to the table, give Dorothy Browning (913-492-5922) a call to discuss this opportunity to help Kansas City women successfully start and grow their business.
Not able to commit to a long term mentor relationship but interested in helping? Call Dorothy (913-492-5922) to discuss other opportunities available. |
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The Story Exchange
Introduced at the recent WBC national conference, a new website encourages women thinking about setting up a business to dive in.
The site is building a portfolio of profiles of women business owners from across the world. These women have agreed to share their stories about why they began their companies and what they've learned along the way to encourage others to start a business. They will be adding new stories from new countries on an on-going basis, but check out the first ten for a little inspiration. Click on About to get your experience started. www.thestoryexchange.org
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Success Story of FastTrac® New Venture Alum, Ginger Fuller
In an industry with an 85% failure rate in the first year, and the economy at its worst level since the great depression, how come Ginger Sue's restaurant has been so successful since it opened in 2007?
Well, Ginger Sue's tag line is "Eat Among Friends", and owners Ginger Fuller and husband/business partner David Bradley have a lot of them. Oh, and did I mention really great food, too?
Ginger grew up in Liberty, MO and met David when they were both working at Houlihan's Restaurant, she as a server and he in management. They both loved the restaurant industry, and the idea of Ginger Sue's was born.
In the Fall of 2006, a friend recommended the FastTrac® New Venture for women course being offered at the Women's Business Center. FastTrac helped her prove her concept and helped her implement quickly.
Ginger Sue's has seen steady growth each year since opening. Ginger credits the great partnership she and husband David have. "It's so great to work with someone that you know well, and know you can always trust", said Ginger. The "third partner" is made up of a loyal customer base and the great people who live in Liberty - 'they really take care of and support their own" Ginger states.
When asked for advise she might offer to other business owners Ginger has these suggestions:
* Be prepared to work harder than you expected when you own a business
* Have a clear understanding of what your business is and stick with it
* Do as much preparation as possible before you open your doors
"I'm working harder than I've ever worked in my life, but I'm also having the most fun", says Ginger.
GinerSue's
Ginger Fuller
12 W. Kansas Street
Liberty, MO 64068
ginger@gingersues.com
816-407-7707
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Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA |
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